Mary T. Berry

Preparation and optical properties of silver nanowires and silver-nanowire thin films

Silver nanowires and silver-nanowire thin films have attracted much attention due to their extensive applications in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Surface-Enhanced Fluorescence (SEF). Thin films of silver nanowires within polyelectrolyte layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) were fabricated by the Spin-Assisted Layer-by-Layer (SA-LbL) method. The surface coverage, thickness, and absorbance properties of the silver-nanowire films were controlled by the number of layers deposited. Both transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon (SP) modes of the silver-nanowires were observed in the absorbance spectra, as was evidence for nanowire interaction. Two-dimensional finite difference time-domain (2D FDTD) simulations predict that the maximum field enhancement occurs at the ends and cross-sectional edges of the wires for the longitudinal and transverse modes, respectively. Silver nanowires were synthesized by a facile, high-yield solvothermal approach, which can be easily manipulated to control the aspect ratio of the nanowires. The effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentration and molecular weight on the growth of the silver nanowires, which are not documented in the original procedure, are discussed. It is shown that the growth mechanism for silver nanowires in the solvothermal synthesis is similar to that reported for the polyol synthesis.

Ab initio potential energy surface for the Ar(1S)+OH(X2Π) interaction and bound rovibrational states

Adiabatic potential energy surfaces for the 2A′ and 2A″ states of the Ar(1S)–OH(X2Π) complex were calculated using supermolecular unrestricted fourth-order Moller–Plesset perturbation theory and a large correlation consistent basis set supplemented with bond functions. The potential energy surface (PES) of the A′ state has two minima. The global minimum from the unrestricted coupled-cluster calculations with single, double, and noniterative triple excitations occurs for the collinear geometry Ar–H–O at R=7.08a0 with a well depth of De=141.2 cm−1. There is also a local minimum for the skewed T-shaped form, whereas the Ar–O–H arrangement corresponds to a saddle point. The PES of the A″ state also has two minima, which occur for the two collinear isomers. A variational calculation of the bound rovibrational states was performed. The calculated binding energy, D0=93.8 cm−1, and the energies of the bound vibrational states are in good agreement with experiment [see Berry et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 178, 301 (199...

Luminescence Properties and Quenching Mechanisms of Ln(Tf2N)3 Complexes in the Ionic Liquid bmpyr Tf2N

The emission properties, including luminescence lifetimes, of the lanthanide complexes Ln(Tf(2)N)(3) (Tf(2)N = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide); Ln(3+) = Eu(3+), Tm(3+), Dy(3+), Sm(3+), Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Er(3+)) in the ionic liquid bmpyr Tf(2)N (bmpyr = 1-n-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium) are presented. The luminescence quantum efficiencies, η, and radiative lifetimes, τ(R), are determined for Eu(3+)((5)D(0)), Tm(3+)((1)D(2)), Dy(3+)((4)F(9/2)), Sm(3+)((4)G(5/2)), and Pr(3+)((3)P(0)) emission. The luminescence lifetimes in these systems are remarkably long compared to values typically reported for Ln(3+) complexes in solution, reflecting weak vibrational quenching. The 1.5 μm emission corresponding to the Er(3+) ((4)I(13/2)→(4)I(15/2)) transition, for example, exhibits a lifetime of 77 μs. The multiphonon relaxation rate constants are determined for 10 different Ln(3+) emitting states, and the trend in multiphonon relaxation is analyzed in terms of the energy gap law. The energy gap law does describe the general trend in multiphonon relaxation, but deviations from the trend are much larger than those normally observed for crystal systems. The parameters determined from the energy gap law analysis are consistent with those reported for crystalline hosts. Because Ln(3+) emission is known to be particularly sensitive to quenching by water in bmpyr Tf(2)N, the binding properties of water to Eu(3+) in solutions of Eu(Tf(2)N)(3) in bmpyr Tf(2)N have been quantified. It is observed that water introduced into these systems binds quantitatively to Ln(3+). It is demonstrated that Eu(Tf(2)N)(3) can be used as a reasonable internal standard, both for monitoring the dryness of the solutions and for estimating the quantum efficiencies and radiative lifetimes for visible-emitting [Ln(Tf(2)N)(x)](3-x) complexes in bmpyr Tf(2)N.

Time-dependent excited-state molecular dynamics of photodissociation of lanthanide complexes for laser-assisted metal-organic chemical vapour deposition

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) algorithm was modified for treating time-dependent excited-state molecular dynamics (TDESMD). This algorithm addresses the situations when electron density and nuclear potential are being periodically driven by a strong laser field, which induces periodic population–depopulation Rabi cycles. The electron hopping between different potential energy surfaces, such as ground state and ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) state, creates the nuclear trajectories. In the computed trajectories, the inter-atomic distances can demonstrate different regimes, from small oscillations to abrupt elongations, corresponding to fragmentation of the studied compound. This algorithm was used to explore photodissociation mechanisms for laser-assisted metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (LCVD or laser-assisted MOCVD) process using lanthanide cyclopentadienyl-type precursors. The computed fragments are compared with the ones elucidated experimentally using photoionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Photofragmentation of the Gas-Phase Lanthanum Isopropylcyclopentadienyl Complex: Computational Modeling vs Experiment

Photofragmentation of the lanthanum isopropylcyclopentadienyl complex, La(iCp), was explored through time-dependent excited-state molecular dynamics (TDESMD), excited-state molecular dynamics (ESMD), and thermal molecular dynamics (MD). Simulated mass spectra were extracted from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations through a new and simple method and compared to experimental photoionization time-of-flight (PI-TOF) mass spectra. The computational results indicate that the value of excitation energy and mechanism of excitation determine the dissociation process.

(BMI)3LnCl6 crystals as models for the coordination environment of LnCl3 (Ln = Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Yb) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic-liquid solution.

A series of (BMI)3LnCl6 (Ln = Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Yb) crystals was prepared from solutions of LnCl3 dissolved in the ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMICl). Crystals with Ln = 5% Sm + 95% Gd and with Ln = 5% Dy + 95% Gd were also grown to assess the importance of cross-relaxation in the Sm and Dy samples. The crystals are isostructural, with monoclinic space group P21/c and four formula units per unit cell. The first coordination sphere of Ln(3+) consists of six Cl(-) anions forming a slightly distorted octahedral LnCl6(3-) center. The second coordination sphere is composed of nine BMI(+) cations. The emission spectra and luminescence lifetimes of both (BMI)3LnCl6 crystals and LnCl3 in BMICl solution were measured. The spectroscopic similarities suggest that crystalline (BMI)3LnCl6 provides a good model of the Ln(3+) coordination environment in BMICl solution.

Non-collinear spin DFT for lanthanide ions in doped hexagonal NaYF4

Trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) doped in hexagonal (β)-NaYF4 nanocrystals (Na24Y23Ln1F96, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd) were systematically studied by density functional theory (DFT) with a perturbative account for spin–orbit coupling. The simulated results, including the optimised molecular structures, electronic and magnetic properties, are compared to previous spin-polarised DFT studies in the same system. The spin–orbit coupling effects become significant with the increase in the number of unpaired 4f electrons in the doped lanthanide ions, particularly for the Sm3+-, Eu3+- and Gd3+-doped nanocrystals. Abnormal behaviour of Eu3+-doped nanocrystals was observed due to the Wybourne–Downer mechanism. A ‘sandwich-like’ 2p–4f–4d,5d electronic structure for Na24Y23Ln1F96 and the energies of the highest occupied 4f electrons from Ce3+ to Gd3+ are consistent with Dorenboss relationship. The energy difference between the first and second Russell–Saunders terms (2S+1L) of the lanthanide dopant is consistent with Carnalls experimental results and with earlier spin-polarised DFT calculations.

Molecular dynamics in finding nonadiabatic coupling for β-NaYF4: Ce3+ nanocrystals

Optical and electronic properties of cerium ions doped into solid host matrices are explored by density functional theory (DFT). A spin-polarised (unrestricted) DFT + U approach is applied to β-NaYF4: Ce3+ nanocrystals, in which the Hubbard U − J value is determined through experimental fitting to be 8.5 eV for yttrium, and 2.9 eV for cerium. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the energies of the localised f-like orbitals of the Ce3+ dopant exhibit strong thermal fluctuations compared to that of the p- and d-shaped orbitals due to charge-density localisation. Our observation of mixing between the d and f orbitals of Ce3+ ion is consistent with experimental results. Combining time-dependent density matrix methodology, ab initio molecular dynamics, and on-the-fly nonadiabatic couplings simulates nonradiative transitions between electronic states at ambient temperature. Transition rates between individual orbitals decrease with their energy difference, which is similar to the format of the energy gap law. These transitions contribute to integrated rates of nonradiative thermalisation of different electronic excitations to the lowest excited state through multiple pathways. The integrated rates of thermalisation decrease with energy difference of the initial photoexcitation and the final excitation.

Photofragmentation of Gas-Phase Lanthanide Cyclopentadienyl Complexes: Experimental and Time-Dependent Excited-State Molecular Dynamics.

Unimolecular gas-phase laser-photodissociation reaction mechanisms of open-shell lanthanide cyclopentadienyl complexes, Ln(Cp)3 and Ln(TMCp)3, are analyzed from experimental and computational perspectives. The most probable pathways for the photoreactions are inferred from photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-TOF-MS), which provides the sequence of reaction intermediates and the distribution of final products. Time-dependent excited-state molecular dynamics (TDESMD) calculations provide insight into the electronic mechanisms for the individual steps of the laser-driven photoreactions for Ln(Cp)3. Computational analysis correctly predicts several key reaction products as well as the observed branching between two reaction pathways: (1) ligand ejection and (2) ligand cracking. Simulations support our previous assertion that both reaction pathways are initiated via a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) process. For the more complex chemistry of the tetramethylcyclopentadienyl complexes Ln(TMCp)3, TMESMD is less tractable, but computational geometry optimization reveals the structures of intermediates deduced from PI-TOF-MS, including several classic “tuck-in” structures and products of Cp ring expansion. The results have important implications for metal–organic catalysis and laser-assisted metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) of insulators with high dielectric constants.

Photoinduced Charge Transfer versus Fragmentation Pathways in Lanthanum Cyclopentadienyl Complexes

This study compares two competing pathways of photoexcitations in gas-phase metal-organic complexes: first, a sequence of phonon-assisted electronic transitions leading to dissipation of the energy of photoexcitations and, second, a sequence of light-driven electronic transitions leading to photolysis. Phonon-assisted charge carrier dynamics is investigated by combination of the density matrix formalism and on-the-fly nonadiabatic couplings. Light-driven fragmentation is modeled by a time-dependent excited-state molecular-dynamics (TDESMD) algorithm based on Rabi theory and principles similar to the trajectory surface hopping approximation. Numerical results indicate that, under the medium intensity of the laser field, light-driven electronic transitions are more probable than phonon-assisted ones. The formation of multiple products is observed in TDESMD trajectories. Simulated mass spectra are extracted from TDESMD simulations and compared to experimental photoionization time-of-flight (PI-TOF) mass spectra. It is found that several features in the experimental mass spectra are reproduced by the simulations.